Things To Do In The Valley of Kalash, Kafiristan

In the northernmost district of Pakistan, there lies a valley of culture, nature, and beauty called the Valley of Kalash. 

It is one of the best places to visit in Chitral. 

While famous for its unique culture and natural beauty. The language and religious values are also unique and beautiful.

This uniqueness has forced thousands of tourists to visit this beautiful place every year.

Read the blog to get in-depth information about Kalash culture, religion and beauty, and weather. And the best hotels to stay in there. 

Kalash Valley Weather

Kalash valley is a valley of beautiful meadows and streams. The high mountains with green and yellow fields add to the beauty of this valley. 

Kalash is a snowy and rainy area. Its temperature in winter remains an average of 0 to 2 C. Summer is mostly pleasant. The average temperature in summer goes from 25 to 28 C.

The best time to visit Kalash is July to August. It is the time when flowers begin to bloom. And springs welcome the people of the Kalasha region.

Ohh Ohh Ohh, I forgot to tell you about valleys in Kalash valley.

Here it is,

Valleys of Kalash:

There are further 3 smaller valleys in the valley of Kalash. 

Bumburet valley

Rumbur valley

Biriri valley

Bumburet Valley

Bumburet valley is the most populous and advanced. It is approximately two hours from Ayun valley and is 3 hours from Chitral town. 

It is a touristy place with many beautiful hotels located there. 

Although the Bumburet valley of Kalash is developed, roads are not. They are bumpy and jumpy with narrow turns at some places. 

To be honest, driving on such roads is also an adventure for nomads like us. 

The valley welcomes tourists by a beautiful roaring river on one side of the road. 

The lush green fields look after the other side of the road. 

Even the idea of such beauty blows one’s mind. 

Visiting Bumburet will be a blessing tour if you are planning for a Chitral tour. 

Rumbur Valley

Although Rumbur valley is less developed it holds a great beauty of the ancient culture of Kalash valley. They are predominant Kalash and that’s why they hold large traffic of foreigners. 

Foreign tourists visit rumbur valley in Kalash to enjoy the ancient Kalash culture. 

Its natural beauty also attracts many tourists from all over the world. 

We can say that the real beauty of Kalash valley lies in Rumbur.

Biriri Valley

Biriri valley in Kalash is the most sightseeing valley in Kalash but it has the least number of visitors. Its remote location could not accept too many tourists.

There are many things to do in this valley of Kalash.

Although it is least developed its peace and calm can make you forget all of your tiredness. 

Moreover, this valley has preserved most of its ancient values and rituals. 

Most Walnuts are produced in this area of Kalash.

I recommend you to visit rumbur and Biriri too. These two valleys are more Kalash while Bumburet is becoming less Kalash day by day and enjoying the taste of development. 

There is one more thing to do on the Kalash valley tour. That is 

Kalash Dur Museum

Kalash Dur museum is located in the Bumburet valley of Kalash. It is also known as the Bumburet museum. It was constructed in 2005.  

Kalash Dur museum is playing a great role in displaying the history of the Kalash people and their culture.

The museum displays more than 1300 different objects of Kalash people. 

Their hand-made dresses, handicrafts, and many other objects are displayed in the museum. 

Moreover, a room is dedicated to a library in the museum. 

A great stall of books is available there. Those books are written by locals as well as foreigners.

If you want to get the facts about Kalash valley, must-visit Kalash Dur museum.

Kalash Valley People

The utmost beauty of an area lies in the beauty of its people and their hospitality. 

Kalash people are very hospitable, kind, and loving. Their motive in life is love. 

The way they care for tourists is just amazing. 

Their tone is gentle and sweet. They love music and parties. They live the life of real love. 

Their simple livelihood is the message of love for all the world. They are unique and amazing in all respects. 

Their culture is unique so is their livelihood. 

An interesting fact about Kalash valley people is that they don,t bury their dead bodies. 

They put them into a wooden box with their personal belongings. 

They don’t mourn but celebrate their death. Isn’t that amazing?

Just visit Kalash valley Pakistan and enjoy more and more amazing facts about Kalash people. 

Kalash Valley Religion

Locals here practice ancient Hinduism. Some people label it as animism.

They are known as kafir(people who refused to accept Islam) and sometimes black kafir. Kalash people are the smaller minority of Pakistan but live peacefully. They drink wines and offer their prayers openly. Nobody harms them in name of religion.

As they are known as kafir the whole valley is known as Kafiristan Kalash valley. 

They are the rare people on the planet earth, so their religion is rare.

These are rare people but this smaller minority is now converting to Islam day by day. Maybe this is because of the nice behavior of dominant Muslims or maybe poverty in the Kalash region. Whatever the reason is, the Kalash people are converting day by day. 

Bumburet valley of Kalash has now more Muslims than Kalash people.  

Kalash Valley Culture:

As stated before that Kalash people are so loving and simple, their culture also represents their simple and pure life. Although they live in remote areas, where access is difficult, they are the happiest people in the world. 

They are connected with their thousands of years old beliefs and rituals. 

They love music. Music is compulsory for them at every festival. Classic music of Kalash valley reminds us of the peace of the old era. 

Let’s discuss some of their festivals.

Kalash Valley Festivals

The three main and vital festivals of Kalash people are 

Chilam Joshi (spring festival)

Uchal festival 

Choumas

These cultures have preserved the thousands of years old tradition of this valley. 

Chilam Joshi

Chilam Joshi is a very important festival for the Kalash people. It is the festival of marriages. This festival is a sign of welcoming the spring season in Kalash valley. That’s why it is also known as the spring festival.

In 15 days of Chilam festivals, Kalash people chose their partners. They dance in a group and give the message of harmony and peace to the world. 

On the last day of the festival, the bachelors announce their spouse’s name in extreme happiness. 

Uchal Festival 

Uchal festival is the summer festival of Kalash people. This Kalash festival is for God. People thank God for their best crops and food. 

They take a procession to a high plateau and offer prayers there. And then spent the whole night dancing and music. This procession is then taken to many parts of the valley.

Choimus Festival:

Choimus, also called Chaomus is celebrated in winter. A festival for welcoming the New Year and for the prosperity of the people of Kalash valley.

In this festival, the Kalash people dance whole the night and drink wine on the bonfire. 

The elders of Kalash families go to a high peak and see the dawn of the new year. 

The Kalash are colorful people. Their colors represent the light of life. I recommend you to go once in your life to Kalash and enjoy the colors of life. 

Islamabad to Kalash Chitral

The way to Kalash is not so difficult. You just have to go to Chitral town from Islamabad and then after three hours, you will get into any of Kalash valley.

Hotels in Kalash Valley

There are many hotels for accommodation in Kalash valley. Hotels in Bumburet are well developed and are at cheap rates. There are many guest houses available there. 

Have a look into the list,

Kalash continental hotel

Alexandra hotel Kalash

Jinnah international hotel kalash 

Benazir Hotel Kalash

Kalasha guest house is also an option for outside tourists.

There are many other hotels there which provide the best quality food at very cheap rates.

Stay there for almost a week and learn how to live without a mobile phone and the internet. How to live happily. How to celebrate deaths. 

Share your story with us if you had visited Kalash valley.